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Choosing High School Classes
Learn how to approach choosing classes throughout high school to prepare for college.
Exploring rigorous academic opportunities can help you prepare for college and develop your academic goals. Additionally, your grades and your classes are important factors for determining your eligibility at a top school. Admissions officers want you to challenge yourself, and look favorably on any initiative you take beyond what’s available to you.
As you choose what courses to take throughout high school, ask yourself these questions:
- Am I taking at least one course in all core subjects each year (if available all four years)? (Core subjects include math, science, history/social studies, English, and foreign language)
- Am I taking the most rigorous courses available to me?
- Are there additional academic opportunities I could explore that I would be able to balance?
How transcripts are reviewed
Academic information submitted as part of a college application is reviewed within the context of the student's high school through a variety of materials such as the student's transcript, a School Profile, and a School Report.
Transcripts provide information about the student's individual high school career. When reviewing this information, admissions officers will try to answer this question:
- Did the student take challenging courses in core subjects and excel in them?
Take a look at the three sample transcripts, which reflect coursework through 12th grade, and their analysis below:
- Grades are consistently in A range.
- Has taken four AP courses, but more than ten AP courses are available at school.
- Rigor of courses drops from junior to senior year (three AP courses junior year and one
senior year).
Although the student has straight A’s, their classes are not the most rigorous available at school, and coursework difficulty has dropped over the years.
- Grades dip to low B’s second semester of sophomore year; student experiences a death in the family.
- Has taken at least one course in all core subjects each year.
- Has taken almost all the AP courses that are offered, beginning junior year.
Although a dip in grades can stand out to an admissions officer, the two other bullets show the student is challenging themself and has recovered their grades from one difficult semester with extenuating circumstances.
- Grades improve steadily over four years.
- Has taken some IB courses, but is not pursuing IB Diploma (although it is available).
- Has only taken two science and two social studies courses so that they could have a free period during senior year.
In this transcript, the steady improvement in grades is definitely a plus, however the last two bullets are signs that the student may not be challenging themselves.
While your grades and coursework rigor are very important, it’s important to note that your application and transcript are reviewed holistically and within the context of your school's opportunities. Read the FAQs below for more information.
Course load FAQs
Many students have extenuating circumstances, such as working a part-time job to support family, caring for an ill family member, or experiencing other personal circumstances. Be sure to explain these in the additional information sections of your application. You may also explain academic situations such as school course limitations or scheduling conflicts.
If AP courses are offered, highly selective colleges will expect you to begin taking AP courses, at the latest, in your junior year, and often starting your sophomore year (depending on your high school). The average AP course load is about 3 AP courses per year, but this is not a strict standard. If taking 4 AP courses means your grades will suffer and you’re up all night studying, you may wish to decrease your AP load for the sake of your GPA and your health.
With good reasons, administrators can sometimes be persuaded to be flexible. Find your reasons and schedule a meeting with them. Or, explore taking courses at a local community college. We encourage you to explain scheduling conflicts or other issues in the additional information sections of your application. We review QuestBridge program applications within the context of what opportunities are available to you at your high school. This is why we strongly recommend you submit a School Profile when applying to either the College Prep Scholars program or the National College Match, so that we can best understand your school's context.
High school grades are critically important. Separate what you absolutely have to do from what you think you should do, and prioritize your studies. If you have family obligations, you may wish to talk to your family to discuss how you can create more time for studying. If you are stretched over various student clubs, sports, or other activities, have an honest discussion with the group members about how you need more time for school. You may even want to consider eliminating activities.
Beyond the immediate options of your high school, what other options are available in your community? A local high school, college, or even your state may offer more courses in the summer, whether online or in-person. You can also self-learn from free online courses.
Fee waivers are available for AP exams and IB exams. Talk to your teacher or counselor and explain your economic situation, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Community colleges usually offer discounted rates for high school students.